Testimonials
This is what writers who have worked with One Brilliant Arc’s story team have to say about us!
“You guys were so incredibly kind, helpful, and welcoming, and I feel so lucky that I was able to be a part of the show. I was a bit nervous because, as you know, having someone critique your writing can be terrifying! You definitely put me at ease, and this experience was even better than I hoped it would be.”
-Stacy Frankenberg Burnett, MFA
“Ceylan [is] one of the most genuine and approachable editors I’ve ever met and that is so appreciated.”
“I connected with Jared from One Brilliant Arc entirely by chance when I was still in the early days of my Substack journey. I don’t come from the writing, publishing, or media world; everything I write comes from instinct and a lifetime of reading, that’s a strength, I think, but it also means I’ve had no formal training. So when Jared offered to critique my story Vengeance and talk it through with me, I was thrilled. But life being what it is—a demanding full-time role as an Associate Professor of Medical Genetics in India and being mum to an energetic eight-year-old I didn’t get to prepare for the podcast at all. It was also my very first time being on a podcast, so I had no idea what to expect.
Nevertheless, from the moment we began, both Jared and Ceylan made me feel entirely at ease. They weren’t just critiquing the story; it felt like they were walking beside me, helping me see how to make it grow fuller and stronger. Ceylan was sweet, warm, encouraging, and uplifting, while Jared’s methodical, thoughtful approach gave me exactly the clarity I needed. They understood Vengeance—its layers of memory, history, and grief—and reflected it back to me with generosity and insight. Their feedback was specific, perceptive, and entirely in service of the story. I agreed with every suggestion, especially around deepening the climax and exploring character motivations more fully. I came away not just with a clearer vision for this piece but also with the sense that I had found collaborators who truly care about helping writers grow. I would love to keep working with them—and honestly, to just sit down someday and talk about stories, if that opportunity arose. This experience was not only constructive, it was also deeply affirming.”
“I was so nervous before the consultation, but the team was incredibly welcoming and kind, which immediately put me at ease. They have this amazing ability to truly understand what a writer is trying to create, and that came through so clearly in their review of my story.
They didn’t shy away from the hard parts of my narrative. They praised its “reckoning” and the “raw words straight from my heart.” It was so validating to hear them pinpoint the story’s strengths—like how I describe internal experiences in a “visceral” way, the depth of Serena’s internal world, and the mother-daughter relationship that feels so real and isn’t just a “prop.”
They gave me such a clear path forward. We talked about concrete ways to bring the dark and fantasy elements forward earlier and the importance of giving Serena a more concrete desire. I’m honestly so inspired and ready to push this story to be its absolute best because of them!”
“I found One Brilliant Arc through PodMatch, where I was also a guest on their podcast. As a debut author, I have invested many hours and significant resources into making my novel the best it can be. Unfortunately, I had a very poor experience with a previous editor who communicated poorly and delivered nine days late. That setback could have derailed my project, but through hard work I made up the difference.
When I reached out to One Brilliant Arc, I sent them a 10,000-word sample. Two editors spoke with me at the same time and gave me excellent feedback. Their comments were thorough, insightful, and encouraging. The difference in professionalism and support was immediately clear. Their input was invaluable at such a critical stage of the process.
My book is now with the formatter, and I have already completed recording the audiobook files, which are with a sound engineer. Because of the positive experience I had, I plan to send One Brilliant Arc an advance reader copy before release and request a review. Whether or not they choose to review it, I deeply appreciate the help they provided me.
For any author, especially a debut author who is serious about elevating their work, I believe One Brilliant Arc is an excellent resource.”
“You guys gave me such amazing insight and I do feel as though I have a better direction in which I want to take the story."